Worship & Music

I am looking forward to my upcoming sabbatical! I will be away from May 15 until August 14 and my plans are to immerse myself in study, travel and relaxation.

In June, I will participate in the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music conference in Montreat, North Carolina. The Montreat conference is something I have always heard was exceptional and I am looking forward to being a part of it. In July, I will attend the National American Guild of Organists Convention in Seattle, WA. I will go to lectures, choral literature reading sessions and many organ concerts given in various churches in Seattle.

After the convention, Michele will fly to Seattle and we will rent a car and drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway enjoying the scenic views and sights in such cities as Portland and San Francisco. We will continue south to San Diego to see my mother who turns 90 years old this summer and will fly back to Naples from there. I hope that the sabbatical will give me a sense of renewal and rest as well as providing opportunities to travel and study that would not be possible otherwise. During the time when I’m away, a very qualified organist, Bob Henstein, will play for the Sunday services and work with our choir and soloists.

Bob Henstein

Bob Henstein has been involved in church music for 25 years. He has served at numerous congregations including Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist and Congregational. Bob received his undergraduate organ performance degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. Bob went on to study with John Ferguson and Larry Smith at Kent State University at the master’s level. He has also studied organ with other prominent musicians as Paul Manz, Ruth Berge, Arthur Poister, Roberta Gary and Robert Quade. Currently Bob is organist at Northfield United Methodist Church. Bob has conducted hymn festivals in Minnesota, South Dakota and New York State and has performed concerts in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Great Britain. Bob has taught at St. Olaf College-Northfield Summer Organ Seminars. He has composed music for several mediums including organ, choir, string, brass, hand bells and vocal solos. Bob recently retired in corporate training and development at 3M Company in St. Paul, MN.